Priest fears Masonic 'witchcraft' | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

A Christian minister in Carterton is objecting to a Masonic Lodge being used for a temporary library because he considers it connected to witchcraft.

John Cromarty and his wife Marilyn, of St David's Church, are handing in their library cards and are asking all their friends not to visit the lodge, which is housing the town's books while the $6 million events centre is built.

In a letter to Carterton Mayor Gary McPhee, which was distributed at yesterday's Carterton council meeting, Mr Cromarty warns that any decision to enter the premises is "not wise".

"Freemasonry, while it does good works in the community, is based upon the worship of pagan gods," Mr Cromarty wrote.

"While it portrays a facade as being compatible to Christianity in its teaching, it has its foundation rooted in witchcraft and pre-Christian teachings and practice."

Mr Cromarty suggested alternatives, such as an empty building on High St, Carterton, or the Wai Art Centre.

The couple are leaving at the end of the year but have taken the decision to hand their library cards in now to make a stand.

Called by the Times-Age, Mr Cromarty said he had "no comment" but objected to his letter being published, believing it to be private correspondence.

Mr McPhee said the letter showed a few people in the community were "stuck in the wrong century".

"We are now in the 21st century but clearly some people didn't move along with us," he said.

Warwick Cashmore, a past master and a Freemason of the lodge, said he was saddened by Mr Cromarty's comments.

"I'm extremely disappointed he's taken this attitude.

"The basic tenants of freemasonry are brotherly love, relief, and truth."

He said freemasons, like Christians, believed in a god and, perhaps most importantly, had shared connections to paganism.

"He should examine his own religion and see there are some very big connections to paganism there. Christmas and Easter both derive from pagan rituals," Mr Cashmore said.

He believed the comments to be further evidence there were grave misunderstandings about freemasonry in the community after a recent court case in Wellington debating whether the society is a charity or not.

Carterton's Masonic Lodge has 52 members.